A decision support system for Fusarium head blight on small grain cereals*

A DSS was elaborated to determine the level of risk for mycotoxin accumulation in small grain cereals during the growing season and to support different management actions along the cereal production chain. The DSS is based on a discriminant analysis carried out on a representative data set on the presence of deoxinivalenol in winter‐sown bread wheat, durum wheat and barley grown in different areas of Emilia‐Romagna (northern Italy) between 2002 and 2004. Three to five levels of proneness to Fusarium head blight were defined for six influencing factors (weather conditions, growing area, host species and variety, previous crop and type of soil tillage before sowing), each level having its own coefficient, and linearly combined in an equation of risk (R). A value of R can be then calculated for any plot using information at both regional (weather conditions and growing area) and plot‐specific (host and cropping practices) levels. R ranges between −3.86 and 4.43 with four risk levels: low (R  –2), intermediate (–2 < R  –0.44), high (–0.44 < R  1.2), and very high (R > 1.2). Different management actions are suggested based on the level of R of the plot. The DSS was satisfactorily validated using data from many plots other than those used in its elaboration.     

Relationship between the incidences of ear and spikelet infection of Fusarium ear blight in wheat

There is a urgent need to develop a rational strategy for managing Fusarium ear blight in order to reduce current reliance on routine fungicide applications, based on an objective assessment of disease risks. One of important components for such a management strategy is a fast, easy, accurate and reliable method for disease assessment. The relationship between incidence of Fusarium ear blight ear infection and number of spikelets infected on an ear (or incidence of spikelet infection) were investigated during three seasons and in four countries in order to derive a simple relationship for predicting disease at the spikelet level using ear incidence. More than half of the data sets of the number of infected spikelets on an ear could not be fitted satisfactorily by a Poisson distribution. Three two-parameter discrete distributions (negative binominal, Neyman type A and Polya-Aeppli) provided a significantly better fit than the Poisson distribution, indicating a degree of aggregation of number of infected spikelets on an ear. Taylor's power-law satisfactorily described the observed variance–mean relationship for the number of infected spikelets on an ear; this relationship was generally consistent over years and countries. A robust relationship between incidence of ear infection and average number of infected spikelets per ear was obtained assuming a fixed variance–mean relationship and a negative binomial distribution for the number of infected spikelets. A relationship between incidences of spikelet and ear infection was also obtained based on the complementary log–log or logit transformation of ear and spikelet infection incidence. These models appeared to be consistent over years and countries and thus may be used in making practical disease management decisions involving fungicide applications.     

Relationship between cultivar height and severity of Fusarium ear blight in wheat

A significant negative relationship between tiller height and resistance to Fusarium ear blight (FEB), following inoculation, was observed in 17 cultivars of winter wheat in the 1995/96 growing season. Tall cultivars such as Kraka and Spark showed fewer symptoms of FEB (6 and 4%) than the shorter cultivars Brigadier and Virtue (35 and 51%). To determine if this relationship was caused by a genetic association or an effect of the microclimate, height and disease were measured in segregating populations derived from tall × short cultivars and humidity was measured in near-isogenic lines with and without the Rht1 and Rht2 dwarfing genes. Among random F₃ populations there was a clear tendency for tall strawed lines to show less severe disease symptoms than shorter strawed lines following inoculation. The effect of the individual dwarfing genes Rht1 and Rht2 on the severity of FEB was also studied in an inoculation trial using a number of near-isogenic lines of Maris Huntsman and Maris Widgeon. Within isogenic lines of Maris Huntsman, there was a clear tendency for tall straw to be associated with fewer symptoms, but this was not apparent within lines of Maris Widgeon. Monitoring relative humidity at ear height in a short and tall isogenic line of Maris Huntsman revealed no significant differences between these genotypes from GS 65 to GS 85, suggesting that microclimate cannot explain differences in severity of FEB between these lines. It is suggested that there are independent genes affecting the severity of FEB that may allow plant breeders to select resistant cultivars of any height.     

Fusarium head blight and mycotoxin contamination of wheat,a review

Summary An infection of bread wheat by fusarium head blight contaminates the crop with mycotoxins, particularly deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). The toxicity and natural occurrence of these mycotoxins in wheat are reviewed. Based on 8 years data of fusarium head blight epidemics of wheat in the Netherlands, DON contamination of the grain was estimated. Fusarium head blight ratings averaged an infection of 1.7% of all spikelets; estimates for DON contamination averaged 0.9 mg kg^–1. Taking a guideline level for DON in uncleaned bread wheat of 2 mg kg^–1, in 1979 and 1982 a wheat crop was produced with estimated DON concentrations above the limit of tolerance. Human and animal exposure to mycotoxins in the Netherlands appears to be small but chronic. The information presented in this paper illustrates the need for an annual evaluation of the crop for fusarium head blight incidence and mycotoxin content, and the necessity of fusarium head blight resistant wheat cultivars.Samenvatting Aaraantasting van tarwe doorFusarium culmorum enFusarium graminearum leidt tot vorming van mycotoxinen in het graan, waarvan deoxynivalenol (DON) en nivalenol (NIV) de belangrijkste toxinen zijn. In dit artikel wordt een overzicht gegeven van de toxicologische aspecten, en het voorkomen van deze toxinen in tarwe. Informatie over DON en NIV in tarwe in West-Europa is schaars. Gebaseerd op gegevens vanFusarium epidemieën in de jaren 1979–1986 wordt een schatting gegeven van de concentratie DON in Nederlandse tarwe. Rekening houdend met de herkomst en verwerking van tarwe, blijken zowel in dierlijk als menselijk voedsel lage concentraties DON chronisch voor te komen. Op basis van een maximaal toelaatbare dagelijkse dosis DON van 3 g kg^–1 lichaamsgewicht is de schatting van de dagelijkse opname van DON in het jaar volgend op de oogst van 1982 net op de grens. Zowel een jaarlijkse inventarisatie vanFusarium aantasting en DON besmetting van het graan, als de ontwikkeling vanFusarium-resistente rassen zijn noodzakelijk.     

不同杀菌剂防治小麦赤霉病及减少籽粒中DON毒素积累的效果

为明确不同杀菌剂防治小麦赤霉病和减少小麦籽粒中DON(脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇)毒素积累的效果,于大田人工接菌条件下进行了不同杀菌剂对小麦赤霉病的防治试验,并于收获期测定了不同药剂处理的小麦籽粒中DON毒素含量。结果表明:两种处理方式下,50%多菌灵WP,30%多·酮SC,25%戊唑醇WP,25%氰烯菌酯SC和70%甲基硫菌灵WP处理中,除先喷药后接菌条件下25%戊唑醇WP在病粒率和籽粒中DON积累上没有显著防治效果,接菌后1d喷药条件下50%多菌灵WP、25%戊唑醇WP在病粒率上没有显著防治效果;30%多·酮SC在病粒率和籽粒中DON积累上没有显著防治效果外,各处理对小麦的病穗率、病情指数、病粒率和籽粒中DON积累都有显著的防治效果(P0.05)。各处理的病穗率防效在42.4%~83.5%,病情指数防效在44.9%~88.2%,病粒率防效在34.7%~69.4%,籽粒中DON防效在48.0%~86.9%。上述几种杀菌剂具有明显的保护作用,其在先喷药后接菌条件下的防治效果均明显优于接菌后1d喷药的防治效果。两种处理方式下,30%己唑醇悬浮剂、25%嘧菌酯悬浮剂和12.5%烯唑醇可湿性粉剂处理在病穗率、病情指数、病粒率和籽粒中DON积累与清水对照处理没有显著性差异(P0.05)。     

The use of species-specific PCR-based assays to analyse Fusarium ear blight of wheat

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the detection of various Fusarium species and Microdochium nivale subspecies were compared with conventional visual disease assessment using a field plot of wheat in which the central subplot was inoculated with F. culmorum . Visual disease assessment was performed on a range of samples taken from each of 15 subplots at growth stage 80. At harvest, each sample was divided into its component parts, i.e. grain, glume and rachis, and species-specific PCR analysis was used to detect the presence of F. culmorum , F. poae , F. avenaceum , F. graminearum , M. nivale var. majus and M. nivale var. nivale . Within the inoculated subplot there was good correlation between visual disease assessment and PCR analysis, both techniques indicating a high incidence of F. culmorum in this region. According to the visual disease assessment results, there was also a relatively high incidence of F. culmorum in most other regions of the field plot. However, according to PCR analysis the incidence of F. culmorum in many of the other subplots was relatively low and F. poae , M. nivale var. majus and var. nivale , and F. avenaceum were detected within the grain, glume and rachis tissues of many of the ear samples from these subplots. F. poae predominated in the glume component of ears and M. nivale var. majus and var. nivale in the rachis component. M. nivale PCR results revealed that 64% of infected samples involved var. majus , and 36% var. nivale . PCR analysis has highlighted some difficulties that may arise when using visual assessment for studying disease complexes.     

Characterization and fitness of carbendazim-resistant strains of Fusarium graminearum (wheat scab)

BACKGROUND: Carbendazim (MBC) has failed to control wheat scab, caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe, on the eastern coast of China in recent years after about 30 years of application. RESULTS: MBC resistance was found to be common in pathogen populations on the eastern coast and along areas of the Yangtze River. EC(50) and minimum inhibitive concentration (MIC) values of MBC inhibiting mycelium growth of wild-type isolates were less than 0.9 and 1.4 microg mL(-1) respectively, while EC(50) values of resistant collections averaged 7.02 +/- 11.86 microg mL(-1). The slope of the MBC dosage-response curve (DRC) for resistant isolates of F. graminearum was flat: 1 < b < 2.8 for resistant isolates and 3.5 < b < 11 for sensitive isolates). Both field resistant and sensitive MBC strains shared similar temperature sensitivity, fitness and virulence on ears. Field resistant strains and UV-induced mutants showed positive cross-resistance to other benzimidazole derivatives and were mainly at intermediate MBC resistance level. Highly resistant field MBC strains rarely appeared, but only some of the highly resistant MBC UV mutants were insensitive to N-phenylaminecarbamates. No mutation in beta-tubulin was found in F. graminearum, in contrast to mutation in this tubulin which has led to MBC resistance in other plant pathogens. CONCLUSION: MBC(R) isolates have high fitness and competition in field, conferred by a novel molecular mechanism.     

不同杀菌剂对小麦赤霉病及籽粒DON毒素的控制效果

为探明不同杀菌剂对小麦赤霉病和小麦籽粒DON毒素(包括DON、3-ADON和15-ADON)的控制效果, 采用菌丝生长速率法测定了12种药剂对禾谷镰刀菌野生型菌株PH-1的室内活性, 同时采用液相色谱-串联质谱法(LC-MS)测定了这些药剂对DON毒素的抑制效果, 并开展了小麦赤霉病及籽粒DON毒素的田间防治试验。结果表明, 12种原药对菌丝生长抑制活性强弱依次为氟唑菌酰羟胺>咪鲜胺>戊唑醇>丙硫菌唑>叶菌唑>氰烯菌酯>氟环唑>多菌灵>甲基硫菌灵>吡唑醚菌酯>嘧菌酯>井冈霉素A。氟环唑EC50和EC90离体胁迫均刺激DON毒素产生, 其他杀菌剂EC50和EC90胁迫均抑制DON毒素产生。田间试验结果表明, 200 g/L氟唑菌酰羟胺SC、30%丙硫菌唑OD和20%叶菌唑WP病指防效和DON防效为87.68%~94.77%; 430 g/L戊唑醇SC、25%氰烯菌酯SC、45%咪鲜胺EW、25%氟环唑SC、50%多菌灵WP和70%甲基硫菌灵WP病指防效和DON防效为57.63%%~85.49%; 250 g/L吡唑醚菌酯EC和250 g/L嘧菌酯SC病指防效分别为72.18%和51.98%, DON防效分别为43.06%和-7.96%; 24%井冈霉素A AS病指防效和DON防效分别为42.37%和62.87%。药剂离体和田间控毒效果不完全一致, 赤霉病有效防控是DON防控的前提, 病害防效与DON防效不完全一致, 本研究为小麦赤霉病及籽粒DON毒素防控提供了科学依据。     

Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of variation in Fusarium species causing ear blight of cereals

Genetic variation in Fusarium species on wheat was investigated using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Single-spore lines (76) of Fusarium were recovered from 24 ears of wheat in a field plot exhibiting severe symptoms of Fusarium ear blight and identified using classical taxonomic criteria. Four Fusarium species were present, of which F. avenaceum and F. culmorum were predominant with F. lateritium and F. poae present in two ears and one ear, respectively. RFLP analysis using rDNA (pTA71) or total genomic DNA from an F. culmorum isolate clearly distinguished the four species. Genetic fingerprints of the isolates generated using DNA of bacteriophage M13 (which contains a mini-satellite repeat sequence) revealed considerable variation within three of the four species (except F. poae). Generally, only a single clone was recovered from each ear and in all but one case only a single species was obtained from each spikelet. However, in several instances it appeared that more than one clone of a species was present within a single spikelet.     

The contribution of ground-level inoculum of Fusarium culmorum to ear blight of winter wheat

In a series of field experiments in eastern England over 5 years, severe ear blight developed only in plots of winter wheat that were inoculated by spraying with conidial suspensions of Fusarium culmorum during anthesis, and in which infection was encouraged by rainfall or mist irrigation. In the absence of artificial inoculation of the ears, F. culmorum caused less extensive ear blight, and only where soil-surface inoculum was available after its application on infested plant material (colonized oat grains) up to 3–4 weeks before anthesis; it then developed most where significant rainfall occurred close to the time of anthesis. A warm, dry period following application of inoculum to the ground in late March contributed to increased infection of grain by F. culmorum , although ear blight was not increased. Ear infection therefore depended on adequate viable inoculum on infested plant debris within the crop, and conditions tending to favour brown foot rot development as well as, subsequently, rainfall and moist conditions during anthesis. These conditions did not occur together naturally during this period. Seedling infection by F. culmorum or Microdochium nivale made no significant contribution to ear blight. Inoculation of ears at anthesis with M. nivale or a locally obtained isolate of F. langsethiae did not produce ear blight symptoms. Possibilities for minimizing the availability of inoculum of F. culmorum and the implications for various options for ear-blight control are discussed.     

Olive scab: a review1

Olive scab or leaf spot, caused by the fungus Spilocaea oleagina, is widespread in the Mediterranean region. Losses arise mostly from defoliation of severely infected trees, with consequently reduced yield. Symptoms are mainly confined to leaves and appear as dark brown, circular, zonate spots surrounded by yellow haloes (‘peacocks eye’). S. oleagina shows a typical subcuticular growth, forming flat colonies within the cutinized layer of the thick epidermal cell wall. This habit has been associated with a defence reaction of the host involving mobilization and breakdown of the phenolic glucoside oleuropin and inhibition of pectolytic enzymes produced by the pathogen. The disease is particularly severe in densely planted groves of susceptible olive cultivars and in nurseries. Infections may occur throughout the year, except during hot and dry summers, when favourable temperatures (opt. 16–21°C) and rains occur. Conidia, formed at the apex of short ampulliform conidiophores, are usually carried by rain droplets, but recent data show that humid air currents and insects also contribute to limited aerial dissemination. Usually, the incubation period is about 2 weeks; however, if infection is followed by a hot season, it may last several weeks. Spots already formed in spring may stop growing in summer and resume their growth and sporulation in autumn. Chemical control schedules include fungicide (especially copper) treatments during the main infection seasons (spring and autumn).     

几种杀菌剂防控小麦赤霉病穗腐及籽粒脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(DON)毒素的评价

小麦赤霉病是小麦穗期的主要病害之一。化学防控一直是小麦主产区防控赤霉病的主要措施。为明确几种新型杀菌剂对小麦赤霉病的防效和对小麦籽粒DON毒素含量的影响,于2018年进行了氰基丙烯酸酯类和三唑类杀菌剂单剂及其复配剂对赤霉病的防效试验。结果表明:30%戊唑·多菌灵悬浮剂(SC)1500 mL/hm^2处理对赤霉病病穗防效达92.40%,病指防效达93.20%,小麦籽粒DON毒素检出量较不用药对照降低80.38%;25%氰烯菌酯SC 2000 mL/hm^2处理对赤霉病的病穗防效达86.80%,病指防效达88.78%,小麦籽粒DON毒素检出量较不用药对照降低88.19%;48%氰烯·戊唑醇SC 900 mL/hm^2和40%丙硫·戊唑醇SC 600 mL/hm^2对小麦赤霉病的病穗防效分别为77.20%、78.00%,病指防效分别为80.27%和79.59%,对籽粒DON毒素检出量较不用药对照分别降低73.87%和81.42%。在小麦赤霉病较重发生的情况下,上述4种杀菌剂单剂或复配剂1次用药既能高效控制病情,又能有效控制小麦籽粒DON毒素不超标。本试验研究进一步阐明,氰烯菌酯、戊唑醇、丙硫菌唑等杀菌剂及其复配剂均能有效控制小麦赤霉病的危害,并能有效降低小麦籽粒DON毒素含量;吡唑醚菌酯单剂及其复配剂虽然对小麦赤霉病的病穗和病指防效也较高,但控制小麦籽粒DON毒素含量效果相对较差。研究结果为小麦穗期赤霉病化学防控提供了科学参考。     

Enhanced overall resistance to Fusarium seedling blight and Fusarium head blight in transgenic wheat by co-expression of anti-fungal peptides

Introduction of alien genes into wheat has been proposed as a strategy to breed cultivars with improved resistance to Fusarium seedling blight (FSB) and Fusarium head blight (FHB). In this study, we co-transformed different anti-fungal peptides (AFPs) into an elite wheat cultivar Yangmai11. We identified the genetically stable transgenic wheat lines carrying single or multiple genes by PCR, qRT-PCR and Southern blot analyses. Transgenic wheat lines 451 and 513 expressing two AFPs displayed a consistent, significantly improved overall resistance to FSB and FHB, whereas only FHB resistance was observed from other lines. Furthermore, crude proteins extracted from the lines 451 and 513 showed a clear inhibitory activity against F. graminearum in vitro. Taken together, it was essential to properly combine and express AFPs in transgenic wheat in order to obtain an improved overall resistance to Fusarium pathogens.     

分子标记辅助选择小麦抗白粉病兼抗赤霉病聚合体

 Sumai 3, a wheat variety resistant to Fusarium head blight(FHB), was crossed with Neimai 9, a commercial wheat cultivar with the resistance to powdery mildew.The SCAR(sequence characterized amplified region) markers of powdery mildew resistance gene Pm21 and four SSR(simple sequence repeats)markers flanking the major FHB resistance QTL(Qfhs.ndsu-3BS) in Sumai 3 were used to detect the resistance loci by marker assisted selection(MAS) in the plants of the F₂ population.Identification of resistance to both powdery mildew and FHB in field showed that 12 plants resistant to both diseases were obtained.In addition, the agronomic traits of these plants were better than those of Sumai 3, and are perhaps the excellent parental materials for wheat breeding.     

Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium pseudograminearum caused the 2010 head blight epidemics in Australia

Wheat crops in southeast Queensland (Qld) and northern New South Wales (NSW) were infected with fusarium head blight (FHB)‐like symptoms during the 2010–11 wheat growing season. Wheat crops in this region were surveyed at soft dough or early maturity stage to determine the distribution, severity, aetiology and toxigenicity of FHB. FHB was widespread on bread wheat and durum, and Fusarium graminearum and/or F. pseudograminearum were diagnosed from 42 of the 44 sites using species‐specific PCR primers directly on spikelets or from monoconidial cultures obtained from spikelets. Stem base browning due to crown rot (CR) was also evident in some samples from both states. The overall FHB and CR severity was higher for NSW than Qld. Deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration of immature grains was more than 1 mg kg^?1 in samples from 11 Qld and 14 NSW sites, but only 13 of 498 mature grain samples sourced from the affected areas had more than 1 mg kg^?1 DON. DON concentration in straw also exceeded 1 mg kg^?1 in eight Qld and all but one NSW sites but this was not linked to DON concentration of immature grains. The proportion of spikelets with positive diagnosis for F. graminearum and/or F. pseudograminearum and weather‐related factors influenced DON levels in immature grains. The average monthly rainfall for August–November during crop anthesis and maturation exceeded the long‐term monthly average by 10–150%. Weather played a critical role in FHB epidemics for Qld sites but this was not apparent for the NSW sites, as weather was generally favourable at all sites.     

北京地区小麦赤霉病和茎基腐病的病原群体组成

随着北京市小麦种植面积的逐步恢复, 小麦赤霉病和茎基腐病的发生范围也逐渐扩大。为明确北京地区小麦赤霉病及茎基腐病的病原群体组成, 于2023年从北京市6个区14个采样点采集小麦赤霉病和茎基腐病样品, 采用组织分离法得到290株小麦赤霉病菌株及163株小麦茎基腐病菌株。采用翻译延伸因子TEF1-α基因进行分子鉴定, 明确了北京地区不同区县小麦赤霉病菌和茎基腐病菌的群体组成。北京地区小麦赤霉病的病原主要是禾谷镰孢Fusarium graminearum和假禾谷镰孢F. pseudograminearum, 其中禾谷镰孢占群体总数的92.41%, 是整个北京地区的优势致病菌, 也是海淀、平谷、顺义、密云和延庆地区的优势致病菌, 假禾谷镰孢是怀柔地区的优势致病菌。北京地区小麦茎基腐病的病原主要是假禾谷镰孢(45.40%)和禾谷镰孢(37.42%), 还分离出层出镰孢F. proliferatum (1.23%)、中华镰孢F. sinense (7.36%)、锐顶镰孢F. acuminatum (4.29%)、三线镰孢F. tricinctum (3.07%)和木贼镰孢 F. equiseti (1.23%)。海淀和密云地区的小麦茎基腐病优势致病菌是假禾谷镰孢, 平谷、顺义和延庆地区的优势致病菌是禾谷镰孢。该研究结果为小麦赤霉病和茎基腐病的预测预报和精准防治提供依据。     

Fusarium ear blight of wheat: the use of quantitative PCR and visual disease assessment in studies of disease control

Quantitative PCR analysis and visual disease assessment (VDA) were used to study Fusarium culmorum and F. poae ear blight of wheat and its fungicidal control in three glasshouse trials (1994–5 and 1996–7). VDA indicated high levels of both diseases in the trials, while PCR analysis showed that the amounts of F. poae detected in infected plants were low relative to the amounts detected for F. culmorum . PCR and VDA analysis both indicated that the demethylase-inhibiting (DMI) fungicides prochloraz and tebuconazole significantly decreased F. culmorum and F. poae ear blight. The PCR results, however, revealed levels of disease control by fungicide treatments that were consistently higher than those suggested by VDA. Overall, both fungicides appeared equally effective in controlling the two pathogens. PCR and VDA analysis indicated that the anilino-pyrimidine fungicide pyrimethanil had no significant effect on F. culmorum ear blight. Correlations between VDA at cereal growth stage 80 and PCR analysis were similar for F. culmorum and F. poae . Yield analysis, as measured by 1000 grain weight, indicated that DNA content more accurately predicted yield loss than did VDA scores. Inoculation with F. culmorum significantly reduced yield and significant relationships were observed between F. culmorum disease (as assessed visually or by PCR) and yield, with yield decreasing as disease increased. In contrast, inoculation with F. poae had no significant effect on yield and no significant relationships were observed between F. poae disease and yield. These results have important implications for field studies of Fusarium ear blight of wheat because they highlight the importance of identification of the causal organisms to the species level.